The Rev. Jay Lawlor “The Least of These” sermon for Christ the King 2017 – St. John’s Episcopal Church, Speedway, IN

The Rev. Jay Lawlor preached on Christ the King Sunday 2017 at Saint John's Episcopal Church in Speedway, IN.

The concept of reconciliation is primarily relational and its being relational is rooted in conversion, forgiveness and making whole that which is broken.”

— The Rev. Jay Lawlor

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US, February 28, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Rev. Jay Lawlor delivered a sermon titled “The Least of These” for Christ the King, November 26, 2017 at St. John’s Episcopal Church – Speedway, IN. The Gospel reading for the day was Matthew 25:31-46.

How most of consume our news has changed dramatically over the years. But my parents still have the Boston Globe newspaper delivered to their house every day. In fact, they are one of the only houses in their neighborhood still receiving daily delivery of the Globe. While it is a leading newspaper with a long history, my dad will tell you that the primary reason my parents still receive the Globe in printed form is for the comics.

My dad loves the funny pages. He always has. One of my enduring memories of growing up was my dad sitting at the kitchen table, eating breakfast, and reading the comics page in the newspaper before leaving for work. In fact, no matter where you were in the house, you knew when my dad was reading the comics – his laughter would filter throughout the house.

But beyond the comics was the news of the day. And that news often reported what’s wrong with the world. Reporting which often reflects the worst aspects of human nature. You don’t need to look very far to find stories of injustice.

Today we have numerous ways to have our news delivered to us. Print media from newspapers and news magazines, the digital, online versions of those news organizations, network television, cable news channels, and even social media. We live in a world with a 24/7 news cycle. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming.

The news is important. A free press is crucial to an informed citizenry and democracy. We need to be informed of what is going on in our world. We need to know of injustice to inform our responses as people of faith called to proclaim and work for God’s justice in the world. One such area of injustice is persistent inequality both here and around the world.

The exact type of injustice Jesus calls us to transform with God’s justice. This is important because it matters what people of faith say. It matters even more what people of faith DO…to be reconciled to God and each other. And reconciliation requires a change of attitude in relationship with God and others. The concept of reconciliation is primarily relational and its being relational is rooted in conversion, forgiveness and making whole that which is broken. […]